SOC 13-2053 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Insurance Underwriters — Kentucky
Kentucky · 2 metro areas compared
At $79,830, median pay for Insurance Underwriters in Kentucky tracks the national median of $81,370 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $79,830, median pay for Insurance Underwriters in Kentucky tracks the national median of $81,370 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $57,910 and $100,990. The lowest tenth earn under $46,550, while the highest tenth earn more than $138,670.
Employment stands at 900, or 0.4 jobs per thousand held locally. Among the 49 states with published data for this occupation, Kentucky ranks 23rd by median wage. Lexington leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $100,990. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 137th of 699 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $46,550 | −42.8% |
| 25th | $57,910 | −28.8% |
| Median (50th) | $79,830 | −1.9% |
| 75th | $100,990 | +24.1% |
| 90th | $138,670 | +70.4% |
| Mean | $87,430 | +7.4% |
Highest-paying metro areas in Kentucky
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lexington | $100,990 | 290 | |
| 2 | Louisville/Jefferson County | $76,450 | 430 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Kentucky run 9.8% below the national average, so the median of $79,830 goes as far as $88,503 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 8.8% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$79,830as reported by BLSLocal price level
90.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$88,503US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $79,830 a year, 1.9% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $46,550 to $138,670 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 900 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 23rd of 49 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Lexington, at $100,990.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Insurance Underwriters in Kentucky?
The median annual wage is $79,830, or $38.38 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $81,370, so pay in Kentucky is 1.9% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Kentucky earns more than $138,670 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $46,550 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Lexington, at $100,990 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 900 jobs in this occupation in Kentucky. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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